Fwd: Watch Traditional Presentation - Live Oak CDE Trailer
This message is from: vivian creigh reinbow...@vermontel.net This was just sent to me and I thought some of you might be interested.. There are 2 trailers for Live Oak after one finishes you can click on other trailer in small box at bottom of screeen, just like youtube. Horseflicks filmed every step of every competitor which is so very cool. I just ordered my entire weekend as well as the entire Single Pony Intermediate and Advanced marathons. I asked the woman at Horseflicks when it would air in it's entirety and she said they were still editing and she didn't know. For all of you involved in Combined driving and those of you who have been toying with the idea of trying it if the trailer doesn't hook you the full program surely will. Made me want to go out and drive a marathon and I hate the marathon! Cheers vivian creigh reinbow...@vermontel.net rainbow...@mac.com http://www.rainbowendfjords.com Begin forwarded message: Video: A quick peak at the upcoming Live Delayed Live Oak International CDE! http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid9774581001? bclid=9540538001bctid=18755663001 Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
GMHA brag
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Winona did it again! She won the Prelim Single Pony in spite of my total brain freeze in dressage. I didn't really forget the test pattern I was just totally disoriented as to where I was in the ring. Heard the bell twice and finally the head judge ran out with a copy of the test. I just kept driving the 30m circle exclaiming every 2 secs. that I was either lost or knew where I was going then was lost again. This is only the third time in my life when I've been lost in a test so I guess not bad over a 21 year period but the first where I got two penalties for 15pts, ouch! We've posted her dressage minus the wandering and her cones as well as 2 hazards on the WINONA NEWS page. She didn't run fast in the hazards which seems to be our weak link and and even though we won the marathon, not by much, so yesterday I worked hard on making her run as fast I dared into my hand and keep it up until I asked her to come back. She was great in by big field but when we got into my woods trail which is extremely up and down she seemed to back off at first then got better. At The Laurels we face all those drivers from the PA area who are fiercely competitive so I need to avoid making any mistakes. I'm going to try a breathing strip on her nose on Sat when I do our last stress day as although her recoveries are awesome she does pant. Does anyone have any experience with these strips? They seem to have become quite the rage in combined driving as well as eventing where they have used been used for awhile. I'm thinking that I'll have to cut it down to fit her nose as she's pretty dainty. Anyone who has used them please gi vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Ooops!
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] The previous post got sent before I finished it. It should finish ,please let me know if you thought it helped. Thanks sorry. vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw Classified Ads: http://tinyurl.com/5b5g2f
Bromont
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fjords did very well at Bromont except for a few minor glitches. Beth Gerst sitting fourth after dressage would have ended up well into the ribbons had her boy not had a momentary resistance about the scary bridge which after the event was over he went over without issue, Shiloh was sixth after dressage in a huge class (17)of fiercely competitive marathon horses some of whom had dropped down to prelim because intermediate wasn't offered. She had a tremendous run in cones and I believe was third best prelim cones all classes and finished 8th overall. Very respectable in such a big class of experienced drivers and horses. Maggie Sullivan had another great show ending up third in prelim. Eline posted video of Winnie's go in dressage and cones on youtube here are the links for anyone interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pczSCaDOWqk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EER8Fy_DYg At Bromont in cones you drove the first 15 cones to count for your overall score. If you drove those 15 cones double clean , no time penalties no balls down they wouldn't blow the whistle and you kept on going through five more sets of cones for the overall cones championships. Since those last five don't count in your final placing you can take some risk and drive for speed. I wish that's how it was always done as it's really fun and really gets the spectators going. Nothing like a little crowd noise to get your adrenaline pumping! Vivian Creigh Rainbow's End Farm 740 Dutton District Rd. Springfield, VT 05156 802 885-5762 cell # 802 376-4913 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.rainbowendfjords.com The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Fwd: Supplements web site update
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] My server said this message had not been delivered so I'm trying again. Sorry if this is a repeat. Lots of snow on the ground now. My poor terrier will be buried and shivering in no time Begin forwarded message: From: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: December 2, 2007 2:10:52 PM EST To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Supplements web site update Supplements is a subject near and dear to me heart. I do blood work on all the horses in regular work at the beginning of the season and again around August. I do general panel and vit. E and selenium. In the long run you'll save money if you only supplement what the ponies really need instead of just guessing and perhaps giving them something they don't really need. It's a great tool to catch any little thing before it mushrooms into a larger issue. All the ponies generally get a separate E selenium supplement, an all purpose vit. mineral supplement as well as added fat (corn oil is cheapest but I use a granulated form of fat called Cool Calories as all the ponies love it and it isn't messy like oil) to a small amount 1/2 lb. to perhaps 1lb depending on the pony of Nutrena Compete 10%. Some older ponies may need a good joint supplement and/or devil's claw and the ponies that get shipped a lot get an ulcer preventative called Neigh Lox, cute eh. I don't know if this works but in this case I'm going for the ounce of prevention. The TBX gets fed exactly the same way as did my daughter's TB event horses with perhaps the Compete ration being maybe increased a bit but not always. The ponies in really hard work get up to 2 cups of fat added to their diets daily as well as electrolytes. Anyway this is what works for me. I've updated my web site and added a page called Silver Medal with some great pictures of Mira at the National Championships. On the opening page (About Us) the top picture is also from the Championships as well as the driven dressage picture of Mira. Even though the event seems like a lifetime ago I am still so proud of my pony. This will be the first year in 7 that I won't be taking Mira south with me. I wonder if she'll miss all the attentionI know I will certainly be missing her. But it's time for some of the younger girls to get out and strut their stuff. As always I will be available to give lessons while I am at Black Prong. Depending on the weather I will be arriving in FL the second week of January and staying down until after Live Oak the end of March. I can be reached on my cell @802 376-4913. We are expecting a snow storm today through Monday so I guess it's time to haul out the sleigh while I'm still here in freezing VT. vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.rainbowendfjords.com The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2007 #243
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have added a link for the cones round at Fair Hill on my website under Mira's page. I'll update her page with photos as soon as I get some. If anyone has marathon footage of something other than the water hazard please let me know. vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.rainbowendfjords.com The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2007 #242
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks everyone!!! It was a really hard marathon, not scary hard but s technical. Not our best effort but we didn't make any mistakes and most everyone else did which left the door open. I have a history of squeaking by on the narrowest of margins. Really cool to have David O'Connor give me a silver medal. I almost slept with it on last night. Olympia aka Mira is officially retired from Advanced competition. What a pony! Her babies should be really neat. I'm off for a much needed vacation. Hope we helped elevate the Fjord in public's perception along with so many other's accomplishments this year. Maybe Winona show fired us all up to do our best and prove that our funny looking little ponies can DO IT Keep on keeping on. Vivian The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Fair Hill
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: October 22, 2007 7:58:27 PM EDT To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Re: fjordhorse-digest V2007 #242 Thanks everyone!!! It was a really hard marathon, not scary hard but s technical. Not our best effort but we didn't make any mistakes and most everyone else did which left the door open. I have a history of squeaking by on the narrowest of margins. Really cool to have David O'Connor give me a silver medal. I almost slept with it on last night. Olympia aka Mira is officially retired from Advanced competition. What a pony! Her babies should be really neat. I'm off for a much needed vacation. Hope we helped elevate the Fjord in public's perception along with so many other's accomplishments this year. Maybe Winona show fired us all up to do our best and prove that our funny looking little ponies can DO IT Keep on keeping on. Vivian vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.rainbowendfjords.com The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
The year of the FJORD
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] It has been so terrific to read and hear about all the Fjords out there winning in all breed competition. From Lauren's fabulous win at the eventing championships to Maggie Sullivan smoking the marathon where ever she goes to all the Fjords wins at Villa Louis and so many others this year. I was getting mighty sick of all those Haflingers out there and so few Fjords that it has been most gratifying to see so many people take the leap and do so well in open competition. Congratulations to all of you. vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.rainbowendfjords.com The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Balance saddle for sale
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Almost like new. I have a Balance saddle for sale : Asking $1,200 Contact me Vivian Creigh by e-mail or phone 802 885 5762 or cell 802 376 4913 Standard specifications: The Soft Option™ Arc Tree The Soft Option™ Arc contains a specially designed tree in one very generous width. This tree was developed with very wide breeds of horse in mind. For example: Friesians, Paso Fino Horses, Icelandic Horses and some of the very wide Quarter Horses etc. It is essential that you use a safety stirrup when using these hook bars. * Available in one super wide width * Adjustable/removable knee blocks * Short girth straps (billets) * Suede seat and knee pads * * BALANCE Soft Option™ Arc GP (General Purpose) Saddle This saddle is shaped to allow riders to do a variety of tasks on their horse in comfort. It is straight cut enough for most riders to feel comfortable in a dressage position. Indeed, some riders who have long legs (hip to knee) and find that most dressage saddles are too straight cut for them, find this shape works well for them. However, the shape of the flap also supports a shorter leg position that is more suitable to trail riding over varied terrain and for doing small jumps. For more information about Balance saddles please visit www.balanceinternational.com The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Website brag cost of horses
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Rainbow End's Farm finally has a website. Give it a look, new sale horses are being added regularly and I welcome any constructive criticism on the site. Winona (KonggardNanja Holmar) went to the GMHA sanctioned dressage show last weekend she had five rides placed first under Cindy Syndor at First 1, fourth First 2, first at Training 3, first Training 4, second Training 1. During the weekend she scored two 10s both for her stretching down circle. Congratulations to Eline on her fine rides on Winona. Go to the web site for more info on Eline and Winona. www.rainbowendfjords.com On another note when someone asks me what a 100% SAFE, properly trained riding and driving pony costs I'm thinking $25,000 is a bargain regardless of what breed. In the eventing world $15,000 might buy a promising green as grass, three year old prospect. Made hunter ponies routinely sell for $30,000 or more. Dressage prospects cost a small fortune. Dead safe and talented should be as valuable as a decent car and last at least three times longer. Vivian Creigh The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Winona and Eline's big finish to the week
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Although I didn't get to watch stadium school at Eric Smiley clinic I did film some of the x-country and it went really well. Eric remained totally smitten with the pony , and I was delighted that he continued to view her as just a terrific pony that would be terrific for 20+ years. Saturday Eline competed Winnie at the Beg. Novice level for the last time. We had entered her Novice but chose to keep her at the lower level for one more school as even though she had jumped Novice and Training level fences during the clinic it would do both Eline and Winnie good to keep her at a lower level. It was a good decision as they had 29.5 pen.pts after dressage, clean x-country and one rail down in stadium for first place. Vivian C The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Brag
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] After a rather hectic several weeks I had the best boost I've had in a long time. Eline the young woman who rides for me and I got up at 3:30AM to get ready to take one of the Fjords, Winona, to an Eric Smiley clinic http://www.ericsmiley.com/. I'm always a bit nervous when we take a Fjord to these high level clinicians although I often find them to be far more open regarding breed as let's face it these guys have seen many different breeds perform above their perceived level as well as the inverse. Anyway the format this morning was to ride an event test of your choice for Eric and he would then tell you how to improve your test scores. After Eline rode Eric and she came over to where I was sitting as Eline thought I should also hear what he had to say. Even though the test had gone well I was a bit nervous to hear what he had to say. This is what he told us, exactly, with I promise you no embellishment, This is the very, very, very, very best pony I have seen in a very long time. He said she was absolutely correct from back to front, perfectly balanced and beautifully schooled. He never mentioned her breed probably because it didn't really matter to him. As he was walking away to critique the next test he said to us over his shoulder, Every home should have one of these. Well of course! This afternoon they have a stadium lesson which I will sadly not be able to attend but Eline's husband is going to film it for us. Tomorrow I go back to see their x-country lesson and bring the pony home. I hope Eric still feels the same way about her after jumping but I'm pretty sure he will as she is very honest and willing and jumps correctly. Eline is moving up to Novice level this weekend a bit scary for a dressage rider just beginning her jumping career. Happy Fourth of July. Vivian Creigh The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Brag alert
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] This weekend Eline the girl who rides my ponies and I took 2 ponies to a USDF sanctioned dressage show. One of the ponies is Marnix , my 15 year old stallion who has not been to any kind of competition in 7 years! the other is his 6 year old niece Winona, out of his full sister. Friday was Marnix's day. His first test was a Training 4 test. He did a credible job but with all the big WB and TBs as his competition one never knows how the judge will feel. His second test was First level 1 which was a better test. He was lighter and it showed in his canter departs as well as his downward transitions and showed a very nice medium trot. There were some very fancy horses in the First level class but I really felt after reviewing the movie of the test that he could well be in the ribbons. He scored 64% in his Training test and was third and scored 65.7% in his First level test and was second. Eline and I were high fiveing the whole ride home. Today was Winona's day this was only her fourth competiton ever and first USDF sanctioned dressage show. Her first test was Training 4 which went well although the canter was a bit rushed, a problem we have been working on as it only happens in the show ring so my feeling is she just needs more exposure, but her walk work was lovely and her stretching down circle was very nice. Her second test was Training 3 where she had much better canter work showing better balance and rhythm, good walk and nice stretching circle. We both felt it was a better test. Turns out we were right. She scored 65.2% in her Training 4 test finishing in second place and 65.6% in her Training 3 test winning the class. Eline and I were a bit more subdued on the way home today possibly because tomorrow we are taking both Marnix and Winona and they are both doing First level tests which will be asking a lot more from each pony. I'm pretty certain after the last two days they won't embarrass us but one never knows with horses. However the last two days have been so enjoyable whatever happens is fine with both of us. Cheers Vivian Creigh The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2007 #89
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello List, I have returned to VT and my computer after my three months in FL training for the 2007 Pony World CH. Mira (Olympia) was fabulous as usual. Had the fastest advanced marathon all classes at the Black Prong CDE which was an observation trial and finished 2nd. Was third on the marathon at Live Oak despite my hitting 2 knockdowns in the last hazard which had 10 KD in just that one hazard alone. Finished 5th out of 12 advanced single ponies. My cones run was abysmal because of insufficient warm up, britching too loose and other driver errors however we managed to stay in 5th . Before Sunshine State had Mira reshod and did a stress day 2 days later. The shoeing job unbalanced her and she just didn't seem herself so I made the hard decision to scratch. The following Monday the FEI vet went over her in hand, (All declared ponies and Pair horses were also looked at by FEI vets) on the lunge and in harness. Pronounced her sound. PHEW! My farrier is coming tomorrow to reshoe her and we are on track to go to the last two selection trials. In FL I worked with Ardeth Obenauf, Joe Fiona Delfino and Carol Rivoire, I hope I helped them. Ardeth just competed at the Southern PInes CDE can't wait to here how she did. Joe's daughter Fiona competed her father's mare at a mini CDE and placed 5th out of 20 or so ponies I think. I think she's hooked on the sport now! My wonderful little TBX whose breeder has loaned her to me for the next three years, (for those of you who follow horse sports she is a full sister to the amazing Theodore O'Connor a carded pony who is being competed by Olympic eventer Karen O'Connor at the three star level) is driving and every day is a hoot to work. She is very much in the testing me stage but is pretty fearless about stuff in general. I can't wait till the snow and mud disappear around here so I can get her back in work. As it is Mira will have to just go down the road and skip dressage work which should make Garden State interesting. I am judging at Lord Stirling this coming weekend hope to see some Fjords out there. I also have some openings for training this spring and summer and I am available for clinics and lessons . Hope you are having a drier and warmer spring than we are presently experiencing in VT. Cheers, Vivian Creigh The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Going south
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I sent this on the 8th it never showed up in my digest so I thought I'd try again. If anyone received this post individually can you let me know. Thanks Vivian Creigh Rainbow's End Farm 740 Dutton District Rd. Springfield, VT 05156 802 885-5762 cell # 802 376-4913 [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'll be heading to Black Prong in Bronson FL this Sunday. I'll be bringing three ponies of my own. One a beautiful Fjord mare I will be coming with me and is possibly for sale. She rides and drives and is a proven broodmare. Anyone wishing to see her should call me on my cell phone which is my only means of communication 802 376-4913. I will be available to give driving lessons while there, again call my cell. I'm competing at Nature Coast so will need a week to settle in and get through the event but I'm staying until the beginning of April. Looking forward to meeting many southern Fjord people this year. Black Prong is an amazing facility for those of you who want to compete your ponies in CDEs there is no better place to get them ready. It is Disneyland for drivers! Also I am looking for someone local to Bronson to help me out as I will have 6 ponies in work while there. The girl who was going to help me out unfortunately broke her arm last week. I will need morning help with turn out, getting the barn ready for evening, grooming etc. Hope all of you who want to get those sleighs out get the snow you lack and those of you who have more snow than you need get a break. Have a great winter wherever you live. Regards, Vivian Creigh The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Clinics in VT
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello listers, I am trying to gauge interest in the New England area for riding and driving clinics before the NFHA show evaluation the end of August. My farm is in Springfield VT 4 miles off I91. I can teach the driving clinics and Kathy Bruce who is an FEI dressage rider and a great teacher would be able to teach the ridden clinic. So if enough people respond positively I will get some dates together. Let me know vivian creigh Rainbow's End Farm 740 Dutton District Rd. Springfield, VT 05156 802 885-5762 [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2006 #24
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] For anyone interested in these things the four mares I currently drive and compete are Nanja, a Marnix full sister, by Holmar out of a Normann daughter, Olympia is by Tunar out of a Holunder daughter, Nordy is by Blinken out of a Tunar daughter and Uma by Lenngard out of a Toddy daughter. Vivian On Jan 31, 2006, at 5:15 PM, fjordhorse-digest wrote: We can't simply say it's so because Vivian won a lot with that horse. -- Of course, in Vivian's case, we do know a lot about her mare's sire because he's a Dutch Studbook stallion, so we can go and check and see if a substantial number of his offspring are as athletic as Vivian's mare. -- It's a question of checking records. It's a question of a stallion consistently proving himself. -- It's not a question of Vivian having campaigned one horse to the heights.
change of e-mail
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Begin forwarded message: From: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: December 2, 2005 12:12:28 PM EST To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: e-mail address My husband brought to my attention this morning that I have an active earthlink account. I called earthlink and temporarily suspended this account as I only use it when I'm at Black Prong for the winter. I went to the account and was really surprised to find several current e-mails regarding the NFHR and other important e- mails. I have two valid e-mail addresses until I move south in January at which time I will apprise everyone of my new address. Until then please use [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sorry for the confusion. Vivian Creigh
Fwd: Returned mail: see transcript for details
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Begin forwarded message: From: Mail Delivery Subsystem [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sun Aug 7, 2005 10:03:27 PM US/Eastern To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Returned mail: see transcript for details The original message was received at Sun, 7 Aug 2005 21:41:58 -0400 (EDT) from vtelinet-66-220-240-29.vermontel.net [66.220.240.29] - The following addresses had permanent fatal errors - fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com (reason: 451 4.7.1 Greylisting in action, please come back in 00:06:38) - Transcript of session follows - ... while talking to angus.mystery.com.: DATA 451 4.7.1 Greylisting in action, please come back in 00:06:38 fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com... Deferred: 451 4.7.1 Greylisting in action, please come back in 00:06:38 503 5.0.0 Need RCPT (recipient) Message could not be delivered for 15 minutes Message will be deleted from queue Reporting-MTA: dns; deathstar.vermontel.net Received-From-MTA: DNS; skywalker_inside Arrival-Date: Sun, 7 Aug 2005 21:41:58 -0400 (EDT) Final-Recipient: RFC822; fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Action: failed Status: 4.4.7 Remote-MTA: DNS; angus.mystery.com Diagnostic-Code: SMTP; 451 4.7.1 Greylisting in action, please come back in 00:06:38 Last-Attempt-Date: Sun, 7 Aug 2005 22:03:27 -0400 (EDT) From: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sun Aug 7, 2005 7:58:35 PM US/Eastern To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: GMHA Fjord brag! Excessively Long! I just returned from GMHA CDE. I showed a Prelim pair, four in the class, two WB pairs and another pony pair. Shiloh Simino showed her Hostar son in Training Single Horse and won dressage and was in first place after cones, today she must have had a good go as she stayed in first in a large competitive Horse class. She has been having a very successful year with her boy and I think we will be seeing a lot of her in the future. My Girls had the best dressage score all classes and divisions with 42 penalties, the next best score of the show was 55. They warmed up beautifully and were really good in the ring. I didn't even walk cones but was having so much fun driving the ponies that I was just giggling the whole round and only had one ball down. We ended Saturday 21 pts ahead of the second place pair of Gelderlanders driven by Peter Bravmann which is a name some of you old timers on the list will certainly recognize. Marathon today was certainly not my best effort. The Girls were not firing in and out of the hazards like they normally do and in the first hazard my reins were too long and I was definitely not on my game. Managed to get it together for the second hazard, the water, and had a decent go even with Nanja sucking back and being her normal weenie self. Thank you Nordy. In the third I took the short route to gate D between two trees and hit a large root hard bounced me straight out of my seat and I came back down on the side of the seat. OUCH! Thankfully my terrific navigator kept us upright and I managed to get back into the seat in time to make the turn. The rest went alright but not brilliant ponies were well ahead of time so we strolled into the finish all in good shape, although I'm sure I'll be sore tomorrow. We won the marathon 5pts ahead of the second place pair which put us 26 pts ahead of the others in our class. We had the only combined score under 100 penalty points of the entire show and had fun doing it. What made this all the sweeter was the fact that on Friday I was the test driver for a forum on what judges look for in dressage. Two licensed judges critiqued my test, I was driving a single, and the clinic participants got to ask questions about why they would award a certain score. The test was broken down into sections and I would drive several movement and then stop and tell the judges and participants what I thought was wrong and how I would score myself as I am also a licensed judge I lent perspective from the box seat. Both clinicians, Natasha Grigg and John Greenall felt the pony was not round enough in the first three movements and was poking her nose out above the vertical but was well engaged and just being evasive. A well known trainer from the New England area started to say that it was a breed related defect that prohibited Fjords from going correctly on the bit. I turned towards this gentleman and said Let's not even go there. He left shortly thereafter, I believe somewhat embarrassed as I corrected this flaw in subsequent movements and with Shiloh's and my stellar performance this weekend hopefully dispelled all notion that Fjords aren't every bit as capable as any other breed out there. After 17 years of hearing the same drivel regarding the Fjords capabilities it has become less grating and more amusing especially when I am lucky enough to put these notions firmly to rest with a great performance. Of course the next outing may
Pictures of Southern Pines CDE
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Listers I have put some of the pics from Southern Pines on a homepage. If any one is interested and can access the page and run the slide show please let me know as the last time I tried this it didn't work. The address is: http://homepage.mac.com/rainbowend/PhotoAlbum1.html. If you receive an error and there is homepage on the upper bar click on that to see if it works or cut and paste address to your browser. The ponies are going great in dressage and cones but Nanja still needs to be more forward and braver in the more testing hazards. She is great in the more straight forward hazards and good ol' Nordy just gets the job done although gets somewhat fed up with Nanja sucking back when she needs her help the most. However as a pair they are so together in dressage that I remain confident about my two year plan to get them winning consistently at advanced. Mira is enjoying some time off from serious competition and is teaching Uma the ins and outs of pair driving. Also a note to you mare owners Marnix who is a Model/Prestatie stallion in the Dutch studbook and who had four very successful years competing in Combined and Pleasure driving as well as ridden dressage is waiting for some some nice mares to breed. He has a lovely demeanor and is loved by all who know him. Except for some low level local events I am taking a break from serious competition to enjoy seeing my youngest graduate from high school and then have my knees scoped and cleaned up so I'll be in good shape for the fall season which begins with the Laurels first weekend of Sept. Cheers, Vivian Creigh, Springfield VT
Black Prong
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I've had several private e-mails regarding where I train in the winter and what kind of place Black Prong is. So since the sun hasn't come up yet and I am waiting to hitch the pair for a drive in the forest I'll try and explain this amazing place. Alan Aulson the owner of Black prong Equestrian has built a Disney World for drivers which has expanded and continues to expand to include Endurance riders and coming soon a x-country jump course designed by David O'Connor for event riders. Currently Alan owns 200 acres with direct access to 10,000 acres of the Goethe National forest where there are 100's ofmiles of riding trails and driving roads. Even though some of the trails are marked it's easy to get lost sometimes for hours and there's plenty of deep sand trails to fit up a pony for the season. There are four different kinds of owls as well as hawks and snakes, yesterday the big excitement was a 6' gator warming himself in the overflow from a culvert pipe that runs underneath one of the roads very close to Black Prong. Alan has built 14 barn apt. combinations. Some have one bedroom several have two with a shared common area kitchen/TV . All have at least four big stalls a tack room with a sink and there are several shared washer dryers on site. Plenty of faucets for washing carriages, horses and watering horses. Numerous turnouts some with run in sheds. For those of us that stay a long time there are shavings pits and plenty of manure pits that are cleaned out regularly. There are also numerous hook-ups for camper trailers offering septic, electric and water. Almost all these facilities are booked far in advance so for 3 months a year Black Prong becomes a very busy horse community. There is a weekly movie night in the main pavillion as well as Karoke (Sp?) night and a daily excercise class. There are four full size 100mx40m driven dressage arenas, a cones course, and eight permanent hazards designed by Christian Isle, the man who designs hazards for european world chamionships. These are big solid ambitious hazards on all kinds of terrain. Monthly driving clinics with world famous clinicians as well as Larry Poulin who trains here in the winter, Bill Lower and others. Larry, myself and a handful of others have been coming here since it opened threee years ago with four barn apts. and several camper hook-ups Since there were so few of us we would do a potluck dinner at Sybil Humphries apt almost every night. One particularly lovely evening Bob Koopman mentioned that it would never be this way again. Boy was he right! Since that inaugural year Black Prong has swelled in numbers. There are plans for 24 more apts. across the street and people are booking as far in advance as 2007. This weekend most of us are getting ready to move part of the party over to Live Oak for the first selection trial of the year. Many more will arrive from other driving communities such as Aiken and Southern Pines. I'll leave Black Prong at the end of March and move up to Southern Pines NC for the next selection trial then thankfully home for a few days until I leave for NJ to judge the Lord Stirling event. I've already made my reservation for 2006 here at Black Prong and am looking forward to seeing what Alan has in store for us next year. If you love horse and driving and are going to be in the northern part of FL during the winter come check out Black Prong I haven't even begun to scratch the surface in my description. It's light out so I'm going to hitch a pair and go searching for gators in the forest. Vivian Creigh
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2005 #28
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dear List, I have a lovely couple looking for a very steady good looking Fjord gelding or mare. At least 8yrs up to 15 yrs will be considered. A been there done that individual with reliability as the most valued quality. Trail riding will be it's primary occupation.It must have a stellar track record out and about. The woman is smallish so a shorter Fjord would probably be better and the pony would share it's space with a Morgan so should be reliable in turn out as well. I realize these are qualities that everyone wants in their horses but I am hopeful that someone on the list has such an pony. Anyone with a pony that fits the bill that they would like to see go to a really good home please e-mail me or call 352 486 1336. A decent VCR tape and a locale east of the Mississippi are a plus. Thanks, Vivian Creigh in damp chilly Florida.
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2005 #25
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dear List, I am in FL for the next two+ months. For anyone wanting to contact me here is my new e-mail address, actually just a new provider, same address, reinbowend. My landline telephone is 352 486-1336. Tjeerd Velstra clinic was amazing. Vivian Creigh
Fwd: sleigh derby
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Begin forwarded message: From: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tue Jan 4, 2005 9:38:06 AM US/Eastern To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Sleigh Derby All of you sleigh driving enthusiasts I just received an invitation to compete in an against the clock sleigh driving derby held in the heart of old Quebec city. Qualifications are being held on January 15th, finals are on the 30th. For more info go to www.derbyquebec.com. This sounds like the best thing ever and I know Mira and I could give everyone a run for their $$$ but I will be in FL by then with five Fjords and although I am actually considering leaving Mira behind in VT and driving home, picking her up and heading for Canada to try this out the realities of the winter weather compromising the plan plus the added cost of finding someone to mind the ponies in FL while I'm gone are probably too daunting. So I am urging all you list readers in close proximity to Quebec City to get out there and give it a shot. Show them what these ponies can do! A 23 yr. old Morgan won last year and the prizes sound terrific too. Happy New Year, Vivian Creigh
Fwd: [drivingpairs] quadrom
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Just received this on my driving pairs list...Way to go Brian. VivianC. Begin forwarded message: From: C. Brooks [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed Dec 8, 2004 1:21:46 PM US/Eastern To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [drivingpairs] quadrom Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Wow! I just got the latest free issue of Saddle Up and there's a picture of Brian Jenson of Trinity Fjords driving a quadrom in the Unique Hitch class at the NFHR breed evaluation held in Sept in Libby, Montana. According to the article this is the first time a quadrom of Fjords has ever been driven in the world! There's also a picture of him driving a four up. Cindy - Post your free ad now! Yahoo! Canada Personals _ To Unsubscribe, change to Digest or Vacation mode go to: http://www.drivingpairs.com/dpmem.shtml `
WCC Pony Pair marathon vehicle for sale
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I am selling my Pony FEI marathon vehicle. Used but not abused. Dark green w/ gold striping, expandable rear axle, I think I can find the lamp brackets! Wedge seat can be moved to side or in the middle. I weighed it at Live Oak and it is 508lbs w/ pole. I am located in Vermont. $5,750 or $6,000 w/ four new Sprenger horse sized quick releases on single trees. Vivian Creigh
Re: outcrosses
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Oh my good friend, I knew you could nor would not let that one pass by. Bravo, V On Friday, August 13, 2004, at 03:56 PM, Lori Albrough wrote: This message is from: Lori Albrough [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] However, I also know I am not alone in wondering what we are doing to this magnificent breed. Regardless of how many times we are told by various people the Fjord horse has always been bred to ride and drive, I have to question if we are not taking the riding aspect too far. My personal thoughts are we are changing the breed to match this ideal versus retaining the breed as it is, with the few exceptional Fjords being outstanding dressage and hunting champions. If you actually study the Norwegian studbooks going back 150 yrs you will see that Fjord bodystyle has changed and changed again over the years to suit the needs of the Norwegian people. The fact is that the all-purpose Fjordhorse suitable for riding driving and light draft that we have now is the same type as they had in the late 1800's. Simply look at the drawing of Rosendalsborken - now there is a horse I would like to ride. The heavier draftier type of the mid 1900's was a response for a need for horsepower on the farms after the wars. Just because a Fjordhorse has qualities of a good riding horse capable of being used for dressage riding does not mean he is a spindly legged creature who can't do anything without going lame. I am currently showing two Fjord geldings in dressage shows and they have good bone (8.5 front cannons), good feet (no shoes), big bodies (extra wide saddle trees), and good Fjord type. They look as a Fjordhorse should look. People say What a chunk of a horse and I can't believe a horse like that can be so light on its feet and How can he be so supple with that big neck?. One of these geldings won the log pull at Woodstock. These are versatile all-purpose horses, truly what we are promoting in our breed. Lets not slander the breeding programs of those who are actually breeding a horse who CAN do it all, and moreover, are taking them out and proving it! Lori Lori Albrough Bluebird Lane Fjords Moorefield Ontario http://www.bluebirdlane.com
Dagrun's e-mail address
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have a delightful working student here from Sweden who was referred to me by Dagrun and she is looking for Dagrun's e-mail address . Thanks Vivian C.
GMHA CDE
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello Listers I competed the pair at GMHA Intermediate this weekend. They combined all the Intermediate pairs and one multiple into the same class so I am competing against 6 time National Pairs Champ Larry Poulin who was also nice enough to lend me his wife to ride with me in dressage and cones. I used Nanja and Nordy for those phases as Nanja really needs the exposure and is despite being a big mover like her brother Marnix a bit silly sometimes. We had an adequate test and drove a really nice cones go. I made the time and only bumped one ball when the carriage chattered across the deep sand and bumped the cone. I believe Larry and I were the only ones to make the time which surprised me as I wasn't gong that fast and it was so tight that there wasn't anyplace to make up time, you just had to keep going forward which was difficult due to the cramped arena and tight course. It drove better than it walked which is always a pleasant surprise. I beat Larry in dressage by 10 pts which I will never let him forget but since we are good friends I rather doubt he will hold it against me. At the end of Saturday we were standing in first place which is where we should have stayed as our collective hazard scores today would have won the marathon but due to a senior, sleep deprived moment I wrote down my maximum section E time as my minimum and strolled over the finish of E 83 seconds slow thinking that I was in the middle of my window for a whopping 16.6 penalties added to my hazard penalties. I think because GMHA is in my backyard I don't really take it as seriously as I might and probably should but there is always tomorrow. We ended up second overall and have a better idea of what needs to be tweaked in all phases for a better finish at Winchester the end of the month. Fjords did really well at this event. On Saturday night Van Zimmerman was in first after dressage and cones but his mare threw a shoe in the beginning of the marathon andhewithdrew.NancyBotteandSonnywere also in first after dressage and cones and ended up second after marathon. Roger Poitras also drove a Fjord but I don't remember how they finished but sure looked good whenever I saw them. I have a wonderful working student here from Sweden who has worked for drivers in Sweden and is just terrific but we are both really tired and she has only been here since Monday night so is being introduced to me and the drill trial by fire. We should both catch up to each other by the middle of the coming week, but I know she is capable and hard working and you can't ask for anything more, except for a good sense of humor which thankfully she also has. Congratulations to all of you listers who have in the words (I think)of Brian Jensen pushed the envelope and shown what these ponies are capable of. I love to read the brags and although I wish I had more to brag about we are always a work in progress needing to fix things in all phases, overall this was a very positive outing for the girls and there addle brained whip. Cheers, Vivian Creigh
Thank you
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] It is imperative that I post a huge thank you to all of you who have generously donated to the cause of propelling Mira and I to a seat on the World Ch. team for 2005. A huge thank you to Cheryl who is my fairy godmother in my attempt to find a berth on the team for 2005. Our first place finish in the marathon at Live Oak will not go unnoticed by the selectors, but the hard road lies ahead. Other fancy ponies will enter the fray in the upcoming competitions. I will do my best to represent the breed and Mira to the best of my ability, but I couldn't continue without the support of my Fjord friends. Huge thanks to all of you...Vivian
Live Oak Pics leg yielding
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Pictures from Live Oak can be seen at http://branamsphotography.photoreflect.com Go to events Live Oak. Mira and I were number 51, but there are many other great photos to be seen. Our series are out of synch in the water. The hazard they shot was my best #6 Have fun browsing. Lori,I knew that you would find the term as applied to driving pretty funny but sounds so much better than whip yielding and I have found that I can actually do it with just my hands although we are not so good going right we are the bomb going left. Vivian
Re: Sleigh Rally Brag and horse for sale
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello Jerry Hope you can make it to Live Oak it would be great to see you and Ann thanks for the kind words and as far as breeds at the sleigh rally other than a Friesian from CT all the rest were Morgans except of course for Mira. I am offering a fantastic mare for sale. She is an Dutch import, a model mare first class and a ster in the Dutch studbook highly credentialed. Her sire is Blinken and her dam is a Tunar daughter named Hannelore. She rides and drives single, tandem, pair and four. She is rock steady and is totally road and trail safe. For all you folks down south I am heading down on Feb 1st and am willing to make a stop en route as long as it is not too far off the beaten path or she can be seen at Black Prong in Bronson FL. This mare is made and could go out and win at Prelim level tomorrow. I use her in lessons where she has proven herself to be an exemplary teacher. She is eleven years old this year and will give a serious buyer many years of versatile use. Sound, sane and healthy she is the perfect mare for someone who wants to compete or just have fun around the farm, but I will only sell her to a very good home where she will do more than just have babies. A mare of this quality and experience does not come along often so if you are interested give me a holler. Best to all, Vivian
Re: fjordhorse-digest V2003 #265
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] The trophy was made by our own Martie in MD. See her post today on Clipped Fjords and you'll find her web address where you can see her beautiful stained glass. VC On Wednesday, November 12, 2003, at 08:07 AM, Botte, Ernie wrote: I won a BEAUTIFUL stained glass window ornament at Vivian Creighs show a couple of years ago - it has 2 Fjords facing each other in the shape of a heart - can't remember what Fjord member makes them - but I love it! Nancy and Sonnie in NH
Re: The NFHR and Breed Promotion
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Friday, November 7, 2003, at 07:05 AM, Cheryl Beillard wrote: Cheryl You can put me down for a YES. Vivian Do you believe that the NFHR should do more to promote the breed by developing a full page ad which would appear at least four times a year in one or more major horse magazines? YES or NO ? I will commit to tabulating your response, and publishing the total yes's and no's here as well as sending them to the Board, as an indication of the level of interest. Most surveys are considered successful if they get a response from 12-20% of those canvassed. It will only take you a second to reply. If this works, as a means of taking the pulse of the fjord community on a key issue, maybe the NFHR could use it in future as one way of consulting members quickly on some of the many important decisions they face in moving the agenda forward? And help to defuse some of the frustration that is so evident in previous posts. Cheryl Beillard Wake-Robin Farm Fjords www.wakerobinfarm.ca
Gladstone and Isabel are both over
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Well, faithful readers, Gladstone is over and Isabel has come and gone. Because of Isabel many competitors from the south did not come as they were concerned about travel and local storm damage and for those coming from VA and NC who could blame them. So it was a very intimate Fall Gladstone which was really fun. The storm hit the Gladstone area of NJ around 9:30PM Thursday. Management gave us all the option of moving to the USET barn instead of staying in tent stabling but few if any took advantage of this opportunity and as it turned out it was not necessary. Although the winds got pretty fierce the rain wasn't too bad and it saved the marathon course. Around 2AM at the height of the winds I went into the barns and sat with Mira for awhile and listened for any horses who might be upset and although Mira was awake and keen to the sound of the flapping tent all seemed fairly normal. The next morning revealed that an interior tent post had come unfixed from the top of the tent but that was really the only damage. Gladstone was my event to try new things in every phase as training at home can be deceptive and I am very familiar with Mira's strong and weak points and also very comfortable at Gladstone having shown there many times. In dressage I went for impulsion which this mare has tons of but when you ask for it you run the risk of the pony getting strong and grabbing the left rein. Parts of my test were the best I've ever driven but I gave up on some of our stellar moves such as driving deep into the corners and not falling in. Our extended trot was the best I've gotten this season but I lacked precision and I had to really fight to keep the one handed deviations in the test. Afterwards I got many compliments on our impulsion which always surprises people when you are driving a Fjord but I ended up third. I knew I couldn't best Sara Schmitt who just placed sixth at the Worlds and has the wings beneath her wings or a halo as she likes to put it but I would have liked to be behind her in second. C'est la vie! On the marathon I made up my mind to just drive smoothly and not make any bonehead mistakes. Mira is so fast and strong on the marathon that she is usually way ahead of me in the hazards and I end up making stupid driver errors. This marathon went just as I had planned. We went for smooth lines and no driver mistakes. The fifth hazard was in the dressage arena and there were fourteen knockdowns ( a knockdown is worth a 2 point penalty equaling 10 seconds) 10 seconds is a lifetime in a hazard. As we left the hazard my daughter slapped me on the back and said Mom you never even came close to any of the elements, good job. Positive reinforcement is a very good thing. At the end we won the marathon and moved up to second. Ahhh. cones my nemesis I decided to bit Mira up on soft cheek as I felt that would help with over steering and actually it did. But I drove the technical elements so slowly that even my crowd pleasing run over the bridge from #15 to # 17 couldn't make the time and dropped us back to third. However it was a rush to hear all those spectators screaming as I galloped full bore over the bridge. I am on my way next to Fair Hill in the meantime I am going on my first vacation sans children, dogs and horses, to celebrate my twentieth anniversary. I will be in Bronson Florida at Black Prong from Feb. 1 till the end of March and can take two ponies for driving training while there. Anyone interested please e-mail more for more info. Have fun, Vivian C.
Re: Hi Country CDE/Raising the standard
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Pictures are starting to come up of The Laurels at Land Hope CDE to view go to the link below. They only have cones up but there are some great pictures and one can see examples of turnouts. To see Mira go to Advanced single pony I think we are picture numbers 60 through 71 with 66 being my favorite she was really booking and you came out of #18 cone on a small side hill which explains why my daughter is leaning hard right. They'll probably put up pictures from all phases but I'm off to Acadia so I'll have to wait until Sunday to see them. Vivian http://www.photosofme.com
Re: raising standards
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Tuesday, September 9, 2003, at 04:59 PM, Hope Carlson wrote: Until Prince Phillip stops showing his ponies in full regalia nothing is going to change in standards for open driving shows it seems to me. And I say thank goodness for that. There is really nothing more beautiful than a well turned out pony put to a beautiful carriage doing a fantastic job. The Prince doesn't show his ponies in Combined driving decked out in full regalia' just a suit and tie with a bowler or top hat depending on the turnout . Let's start with the rules and regs in driving. Whip. hat, gloves and lap robe or apron. Really this isn't such a biggie. Altho a lap robe is rarely seen at an ADS driving show. Even real men including this years National Single horse CH. whip, Ryan Weathersford, wear aprons. I mean this guy is a Texan for gosh sakes so let's not make this an east /west issue. Carriage and harness should be sparkling clean, but really the reason for this has as much to do with safety as convention. When the time is taken to clean every nut and bolt on a carriage, breakdown a harness and clean every nook and cranny you are far more likely to be alerted to any wear and tear or missing pieces that could lead to an accident. Helmets are seen in all phases of Combined driving even at The Laurels. However usually in dressage they are velveteen hunt caps, yes with a harness and sometimes the ladies will dress them up with color coordinated scarves, which is very attractive. No sequins No second hand polyester No costumes Just lovely classic clothes that could go to church, a wedding or your daughter's graduation. Vivian
The Laurels! Boy do I hate cones...
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] There were 11 Advanced Single ponies at the Laurels vying for National Ch. honors. After dressage Mira was fifth, only tenths of a point out of fourth but 16 points off the lead. It was not my best test, two of the judges had me fourth, two had me fifth and one had me ninth. It was of interest to note that the pony that four judges had dead last was fifth from the judge that had me ninth. I'm sure there was much discussion between the officials about several of that particular judges scores as they were really way off the general majorities scores. Oh well on to marathon. Again I was not on my game and had major errors in almost every hazard, but was fourth fastest out of the eleven. I had so many compliments on Mira's performance in the hazards. I am sure I could have won the marathon handily had I been on top of things. The water hazard is right in front of the patron's tent and is a huge sprawling affair with a big long high bridge in the center where the last gate sat right at the top. Patron's had a full open bar at their disposal so by the time the Advanced ponies went the prelim drivers who were already done were well oiled and very loud in their appreciation of a good run. It was totally exciting to hear all that hollering as we galloped through. We stopped the clock at 55 seconds which was the fastest time in the class but when I got my paper work my time was 57 secs. so I guess they were going with the human timers rather than the electronic timers. But for the day a Norwegian Fjord was the fourth fastest single pony in the Nation. I was still standing fifth going into cones but that's where it all fell apart. The cones course utilized the bridge and water in two places and Mira went into total full out marathon mode. I still do not have a handle on driving her in cones as she is ferociously strong and nerves played a huge role in my tenth place finish in cones which unfortunately dropped me to eighth place and out of the ribbons. I really felt I let the breed down as a whole with my poor driving but I keep reminding my self that this is only Mira's first year as a single and I still have Gladstone and Fair Hill before the season ends and we all take a deep breath and a much needed rest to regroup and fix my problems. The Laurels is just an amazing event. The facility built from scratch just for the sport of Combined driving is world class. Water and electric hook ups for all of us who now travel with our homes. Wash racks at the end of each stable aisle. Unbelievable food in the patron's tent. Amazing parties and fun at every turn. I can hardly wait until next year. I am running on less than four hours sleep and will be cleaning out the trailer and repacking for a four day trip to Acadia with Mira and Nordy. I'm hoping that four days of recreational driving will change both Mira's and my perspective, and we will be refreshed and renewed for our assault on Gladstone in two weeks. In order to continue to compete at this level I need to sell some ponies so please if you are looking for a beautiful well bred Fjord to add to your barn give me a call at 802 885-5762 Cheers, Vivian
Re: Driving Training at Creighs
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] For those of you interested in Combined Driving, that is what we will focus on in our weekends of driving. Although I live in a beautiful spot with fabulous views they will have to speak for themselves as time doesn't allow me to offer the same amenities that Carol and Arthur do in their equally fabulous location in Nova Scotia. I can, I promise, help you get ready for your first event or polish your performance for your next event. I have over a decades worth of experience competing Fjords at the top venues on the east coast as well as holding a ADS judges card in Combined Driving and Driven Dressage. I believe it is my successful experience as a competitor that make me a very effective teacher. Also being a judge allows me to view things from both perspectives. Not to mention the fact that I believe the Fjord to be ideally suited to the sport of Combined Driving. We will cover everything from what you need to pack before you leave home. How to drive a dressage test, how to properly condition your horse/pony for the marathon and what to do in the vet box before and after section E. How to walk hazards, how to walk cones. When it is appropriate to ask questions and to whom you should direct them while at the event. Tentative schedule, for maximum of 8 participants and their grooms NOTE* Four slots have been filled. Arrive 12PM Thursday, get settled etc. 3PM Meet together to discuss packing, cleaning, storing stuff and how to get ready to go. Also how to properly present for vet check and jogging the pony. Friday 8AM Private 1 hour dressage lessons. 12PM Break for Lunch 1PM Continue lessons Saturday 9AM to 11AM Hazards, How to walk them, how to memorize them, how to drive them. 1PM to 5PM Hitched in groups of four. We will practice driving the hazards, check out different routes and work on improving time. Sunday 9AM Hitched in groups of 4 we will drive cones. For more information costs etc please contact me at e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] or call 802 885 5762
Long strange trip continued...Georgia CDE very long
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Okay brave souls, on to Georgia After my fab second place finish at Mira's first Single Advanced event I was totally pumped for Georgia. Left sunny, buggy Florida for Georgia Horse Park, site of the Olympics in 1996 on the Monday preceding the event as it has been my experience that the earlier one can arrive at the venue and do some light schooling the better the outcome. Tuesday I am walking nonchalantly into stables when I trip over my own feet and after half falling/running I slam into the hub of a large Khunle presentation vehicle, spooking a horse and provoking Mike McClennan's dear wife into action. In my total embarrassment I wave her off proclaiming my incredible embarrassment and the fact that sure, I'm Okay. NOT Broken ribs and very bruised hip, damn I'm not sure I can drive at all let alone competitively. However, friends , adrenalin being a most powerful hormone I manage to drive a very credible dressage test and am tied for third. I am so proud of Mira as she has come such a long way since the beginning of our trip. After cooling Mira out and putting her back in a clean well stocked stall I head for the dressage ring to watch . Half an hour into this down time my stable mates arrive to tell me that my pony was cast, but they were able to roll her over and get her up. This seems strange to me as dressage doesn't normally necessitate a nap so I go back to the stalls to check her out. She's up and seems alright, but I leave instructions with my husband to watch her as I need to go out and walk hazards. I ran the Sec. E track once past all eight hazards once and felt that the track was so tough and the hazards too long that I would probably retire after the water hazard which was sixth and very hard on the ponies as there were two or three, depending on your choice of routes, short vertical pulls up a bank across a short top and down an equally steep drop , twice. After running the track again I decided that it was too early in the season to ask a single pony to run this marathon and headed back to the barn to discuss this with Sam. While I had been away Mira apparently had heard about the marathon and decided she had a tummy ache and couldn't go to school as Sam had found her down again and called the vet who drenched her as her manure was very loose and he was afraid she would get dehydrated and gave her a shot of banamine. Her pulse, respiration and temp all remained normal. Sam had been walkiing her for over an hour when I got back and she was eating some grass and seemed a bit better. I went to the officials and withdrew from the marathon with the caveat that if the pony felt better I might do cones on Sunday. This was Thursday. I'm on a vacation in Georgia! Mararthon day dawned rainy with thunder and lightning. My decision to withdraw was looking better and better. Sam and I watched a bit of the sec. E track from our car. Finally the weather cleared and the Advanced ponies had started on sec. A. We went to a high hill overlooking five hazards and watched from there. Two ponies never made it to Sec. E as the vet spun them at the end of the walk section. The haflinger who was leading after dressage flipped in the water when the pony leapt off one of the steep banks pulling the reins out of the driver's hands and then trying to exit the water sideways on another bank, flipping the carriage and putting the pony on her side in 2 feet of water. We could see the pony fishtailing trying to keep her head out of the water while several people helped get her unhitched. Once they got her up and out her driver was intent on rehitching and going on but fortunately the clock ran out on her and she was eliminated. Four out, including myself, with three ponies and a mule left. Nancy Taylor Rojo eliminated when she missed the B gate in the seventh hazard and Jane Merrit all the way from CA was eliminated when she crossed the finish line with a trace unhooked. The mule who is normally quite fast in the hazards was cooked before he started and had slow times as well as weaving off the track whenever he saw an uphill climb, but he finished in first place without being eliminated and the only other pony to finish was slow as mud but ended up in second place. That evening it was an amazing thing to look at the leader board and see that out of eight single advanced ponies only two had managed to finish without withdrawl or elimination. Certainly one for the record books. Mira in the meantime was feeling her old self and Sunday we dressed and headed for cones. It was a very twisty turny course and there were few places to make time. Mira having missed the marathon was going to make it up in cones. She was so strong and forward I could barely steer her and this course demanded that you beable to steer at least a little bit. I had 5 balls downBUT I also had the fastest time! The woman who rode with me as groom nicknamed Mira The Rocket
What a long strange trip it's been (Also single marathon carriage for salemonthly learn to drive clinics in VT
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Well I have just returned from the sunny south. Olympia Mira and the Corgi and I have been away from the farm for over two months. Daughter Wes was with me for two events and husband Sam filled in for the varsity at the last two. I will write this in two installments so for those of you who couldn't care less when you run across my next post just hit delete. I decided that this incredible little mare needed some serious one on one attention to fully develop her amazing talents. So I wrenched her away from her pair buddies and headed south to a fab new driving facility in Bronson FL. Six permanent hazards, advanced dressage arena, and a cones course (which I should have spent more time in as you will see). Winter home of Larry Poulin who is my mentor and good friend and lent me his eyes and advice thruout my stay. Initially my goal was to teach Mira that she could be relaxed in dressage as she is so forward and marathon minded that keeping her round and supple single and in the pair can be somewhat of a chore. First event at Prelim was at Black Prong. Drove dressage test and cones in torrential downpour complete with major thunder and lightning. It was pretty dismal, but marathon day dawned crisp and clear. We had the second fastest marathon of all prelim entries, horses, ponies, pairs and singles. Won the water hazard 9 seconds faster than anyone competing. One month to Live Oak going Advanced Single for the first time. I worked very hard on my dressage but also spent alot of time in the Goethe Forest (50 miles of driving trails) conditioning for what in my previous experiences there is one of the toughest marathon courses in US. Seven incredibly technical hazards all but one with gates to F. Live Oak hazards are not for the faint of heart, uneven, challenging terrain where to win you must drive the tight routes and use your space well. Sixth out of 10 in dressage, German judge had me second which was nice to see although it wasn't a bad test neither was it free from it's little problems. Second by less than 1 point on marathon due to a blip in last hazard where I went past B gate and had to come around to get it again. If it weren't for that glitch we would have won the Advanced marathon all divisions. Moved up to third with less than a point betweent the top three of us going into cones. Again we had the fastest time in the water hazard of all Advanced entries, ponies, horses, singles, pairs and teams. I had one ball and 3 time penalties, next competitor had one ball and 2 time penalties, first place competitor going into cones had one ball and 13 time penalties dropped her to third and moved me up to second!! Week and a half weeks then off to Georgia Iwill continue the saga in my next installment, but in the meantime... I am selling my Single Pony Batmobile marathon carriage as I purchased a newer model of the same carriage while at Southern Pines CDE. Carriage is located in NC. is in road worthy shape, weighs 285 and has never flipped. Call me at 802 885 5762 or e-mail me privately Also I am in the process of scheduling Learn to Combined Drive vacations here at our farm in VT. June's dates will be 26-29. Three bedrooms with bath to rent across the street plus local accomodations are also available. I have several nice ponies to lease for weekend or you can bring your own. Farm has Advanced size, pond silt dressage arena, cones course and three permanent hazards. Clinic will cover all aspects of Combined Driving from vet check through cones. I will put together an entry form this week and e-mail them to anyone interested. These are probably not for the real beginner but anyone with some driving experience who would like to get started in Combined driving or those of you who wish to improve your skills for the upcoming season. Also on June 14 we will have a Two Phase event barring any calendar issues that I still must sort out. I am planning to schedule driving vacation weekends thruout the summer so if you are interested get in touch. The summer house rooms are available thruout the summer but I need some time to get my competitive calendar in order before I move ahead with more dates. Look forward to my thrilling second installment of strange trip. Best to All on the List, Vivian Creigh
Re: Black Prong CDE
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Nancy, I'll be at Black Prong hopefully on Valentines Day to compete a single getting ready for Live Oak. Look forward to seeing you and the now grown up mare you bought from me. It's snowing here again but should stop by early tomorrow morning so I plan to head out at 3AM. First stop Southern Pines to drop off daughter's horse then on to sunny and warm Florida. I am so hoping the weather is clear on the way down as I missed my window of opportunity by not leaving yesterday. See you there, Vivian
Help needed in VT
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I am looking for barn and farm help in February and March. I am located in southeastern Vermont. Must be confident horseperson who likes dogs and cats and chickens. Please contact: Vivian Creigh tel.# 802 885 5762 or e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Rescue Fjords
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Steve , I, for one, was relieved to see your post regarding putting a stop to the rescue and adoption thread, and felt as you obviously do that this topic should move to it's own cyber niche. This is after all the Fjord horse list not the PMU nor the Fjord/ Fjord x rescue list. I was going to thank you privately but since you asked for public support for your decision I'm glad to step up to the plate. I'm leaving to visit my mother for a couple of days so direct your flames to Steve. Just kidding! Vivian Creigh
Re: Trail Horse/Performance Horse - Perceptions -
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] on 1/11/03 12:47 PM, ruth bushnell at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: an all-terrain horse, exploring in every kind of condition and circumstances to their maximum physical and mental capabilities This pretty much describes the event horse, only event horses do it at a gallop. Vivian Creigh
Re: Crossbreeding re: NIGEL Fjord/Arab X
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] on 12/28/02 11:27 AM, Cynthia Madden at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Although I might be mistaken I believe Nigel was bred by Finn Casperson in NJ. Finn is of Norwegian heritage and had a barn full of Fjords. Bill Long his farrier and later a World Champion with Finn's WB team thought that the Fjord would be improved in movement and endurance by crossing them with Arabs. Some of these ponies are still alive and bringing pleasure to their owners. I remember something to the effect that Finn received some pretty nasty correspondence as a result of this crossbreeding, but that may just be an old rumour. I'm not sure that any of these crosses achieved the desired results but they were certainly usable. I also rather doubt Finn's efforts had a negative impact on the breed in general, but this is just my opinion. Vivian Creigh
Stuff
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have some very promising yearling fillies for sale and a very sweet weanling colt. All three have lovely pedigrees. All three are out of succesful competitve mares , the colt and one filly are by Marnix, the other filly is out of Marnix's full sister by Konggard. On consignment a well bred Dutch Import mare, 7 years old, who rides and drives pair and single. The best temperament, sweet but not pushy , quiet but forward. A total joy to be around. Was ridden in a drill team by an eight year old girl. Small 13.1 and stout, she would be a fantastic family horse as well as a great beginners driving horse. Also a pole for an Eagle with an evener, new chain and spring. Black with gold pin stripe. Used only one season in dressage and cones. Cost $400 new will sell for $300. Anyone interested should contact me at above e-mail or 802 885 5762, I am located in Springfield VT. Also here is a link for pictures from Fall Gladstone. once you reach the site you can hit back button on page and see more pictures of the girls and I in Finn's Folly Hazard, also other competitors in all classes. http://www.nikonpro.com/scripts/nsm.dll?eventorder?photo=3046001J040014start= 0album=0adjust=-1d=0 Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween, Vivian Creigh
Re: Submission
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Submission as it pertains to ADS Driven Dressage Test in the collectives Acceptance of bit. Correctness of lateral bend. Attention and confidence. Calmness, lightness and ease of movements. Vivian Creigh
Problem horse
This message is from: vivian creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] While reading through this thread I have been struck by how many people seemingly tolerate their horses calling while in work. If a horse is calling to his friends while he's being worked it means that he doesn't have his full attention on the business at hand and will not learn anything, except maybe that it's alright to ignore you. Calling is a form of resistance in that the horse's agenda is taking precedent over the rider/drivers. Since I spend most of my waking hours tending to my ponies needs I don't feel the least bit out of line when I insist that for the hour or so a day I am working them they pay complete attention to me. After all where would I be if while trying to negotiate a tight right angle turn in a hazard at speed one of the ponies decided to start calling to the spare pony left back at the barn? There is a tendency to anthropomorphize our horses. And with that comes this notion that if we get after them they will not love us or we will somehow hurt them or their feelings. Around our house we call this the Black Stallion syndrome. This is just another aspect of what Lori was talking about in her first response to Problem Horse. Which is to say that it is the rider/driver who must set the limits of what is acceptable not the horses. Everytime you allow the horse to direct the action you are allocating him far more responsibility than he should be allowed to possess. You know, Give em an inch.. Vivian Creigh
Re: attention maine listers
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sorry that previous post was obviously meant for Sara and Genio privately. My apologies to the list. Vivian C.
Re: attention maine listers
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Good Morning Sara Genio, First I would like to thank you both so much for coming to VT and working so hard at the trial. Now , the big question, I am about to put my entry in the mail for Fall Gladstone. My dilemma is that Wesley will be taking SATS or ACTS that weekend or she will be off looking at schools or she might be leading a trip or who knows what. I desperately want to take the girls to Gladstone because the hazards are just the most fabulous you will find in the US and since it was the first CDE I won, second I competed in, I have a real softspot for the venue. I need HELP! I realize it is a huge stretch that you would beable to leave the farm for that length of time but I know you would be blown away by Gladstone and I need some young athletic person hanging on the back keeping me upright not to mention just keeping up with caring for the ponies. Anyway give it some thought and let me know if it's a possibility. The date s are October 9-13. I want to arrive as early on Wednesday as possible so I can get right into the hazards and start walking. I believe Larry will be showing there as well... Thanks again for all your help. Vivian
Re: Advertisement - Fjord items for sale - delete now if not interested
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'd like to mention here that I just, about 45minutes ago, gave aFjord Award at our CDE. It was an incredibly lovely stained glass piece made by Martie Bolinski calledCircle of Friends This year it was won by Nancy Botte and Sonny who also won best prelim dressage Championship with a fabulous score of 35. This stained glass sun catcher is absolutely lovely and I was proud to offer it as a trophy. Check out the website. Thanks Martie I'll be in touch next year. Vivian C
Re: keeping Fjords in shape
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cynthia Madden8/6/02 11:34 [EMAIL PROTECTED] I also give him some endurance feed with higher protein and fat content (thanks to Vivian Creigh's suggestions) Higher Fat ,yes, but not higher protein. The best feed I have found to date is Pennfield 10/10 (10%protein, 10% fat) sadly I can not get this feed here in VT anymore, some scrapping between distributors so I am feeding Nutrena Legacy more fat but also more protein. 12% which is fine for mares nursing foals but unnecessary for performance. I think that holding condition is different in each individual Fjord/ or any breed of horse. I have some mares that hold their conditioning for amazing periods of time with only daily turnout and others that start to lose it the day you stop working them. Studies done on subject indicate that fit performance horses lose less than 50% of their conditioning even when stalled for 3 months. BDF Birte was retired years ago and still looks damn good (although too thin now because her little boy is nursing the life out of her) whereas her pair partner Hedi has that definite broodmare shape and tends to fat very easily. My hunch is that horses with high vitamin E stores tend to stay in better shape which is why I supplement Super E in all the working girls. Of the three mares I am currently driving in competiton two always look lean and mean and the other turns into a little dumpling when the grass is in, oddly enough she is the hardest worker of the three. They are turned out for 12 hours on pasture and stalled 12 hours. One of the nicest things I heard at the GMHA CDE from both marathon course designer and vets was what incredible shape my girls were in during and after. It helped that we were down south this spring competing and that we live in the hills of VT. When I am conditioning I drive all three 5 days a week rain or shine and never give them two days off in a row. I am still looking for volunteers for this coming Sunday's ADS Horse Driving Trial here at Rainbow's End Farm. Good food and a terrific learning opportunity for those of you interested in Combined Driving. Back to work. Vivian Creigh
Dr. Shoemaker Exercises Freedman harness for sale
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Another post chiropractic excercise the vet suggested was to stand directly behind pony and grab tail and pull straight back while leaning backwards, hold for count of ten. Helps keep all those vertabrae in proper alignment. We do the excercises Robyn outlined as well as this one before we tack up to ride or drive. I have a Freedman presentation harness, brand new will make two single harnesses and a pair harness. Freedman is the premier harness maker in the carriage driving world. Only for serious driving enthusiasts. Call 802 885 5762 for more info. Vivian Creigh
Re: Rainbow's Enf Horse Driving Trial Aug. 10 11
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] bolinsj7/19/02 7:21 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Vivian, Wish we were closer! We volunteer for almost anything Fjord if it includes food and fun with the beasties! Luck!! Martie, I need your website address again. As we now have a respectable number of Fjords entered I thought I could offer a Best Fjord in Trial trophy and your lovely stained glass would be the perfect prize. Vivian
Rainbow's Enf Horse Driving Trial Aug. 10 11
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anyone on this list living close to Springfield VT and wanting to learn more about combined drivingvolunteering is an excellent opportunity. We have three Fjords entered so far this year and I feed my volunteers very well, I'm told, on the day of the trial, plus there is a welcome party on Sat. at 5PM for officials, competitors and volunteers. If you are interested please get in touch with me at above e-mail address or call 802 885 5762. Unfortunately the event was so much fun last year that I've lost some volunteers to the competitive side. Also enetered lots of Morgans, a pair of German Riding ponies (driven by former Fjord enthusiast, Peter Bravmann) and a Gelderlander driven by Peter's new bride. Vivian Creigh
A wonderful imported mare for sale.
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have a great little mare for sale. Seven years old. Rides and Drives, pair and single. Was ridden in a drill team by an eight year old also did some Hunter Paces, she was not jumped but I see no reason why she couldn't and I will have Wes do some low grids and such with her next week. She is by Heimann out of Hildegard by Halstor She is 13.1H and totally unflappable, sensible, willing and kind. Very affectionate and her ground manners are impeccable. The ideal all around Fjord mare with great breeding she is MS Versatility and will make the ideal family pony. There's nothing she can't do SAFELY. For more information call me at 802 885 5762 Vivian Creigh
Re: Earned Bragging Rights....LONG
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] What a fabulous score Ursula Congratulations to both you and Brian. Vivian Creigh
FW: Robin Groves clnic at Rainbow's End Farm, Springfield VT
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- From: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2002 10:06:41 -0400 To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Robin Groves clnic at Rainbow's End Farm, Springfield VT For anyone interested. Robin Groves will be doing a wheelrunners here at my farm instead of GMHA as their calendar was too full this month. The dates are Tuesday and Wednesday, June 25 and 26. I don't think clinic is full and I believe there will be some Fjord people coming. For more info you can contact Robin at 802 484-5016. Now if it would only stop raining so I could mow my fields and drag the rings we'll be all set. There are some nice hazards to work in and two opportunities to drive per day, morning and afternoon. So if anyone's interested give Robin a call. Vivian Creigh
Re: Dressage, judge prejudice
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lori Albrough5/26/02 12:33 [EMAIL PROTECTED] This message is from: Lori Albrough [EMAIL PROTECTED] I don't expect a perfectly executed dressage movement by a fjord to get the same marks as those performed by a warmblood, since a part of the mark even for the individual movement reflects the quality of the gait. Since I am obviously in the writing mood thought I'd respond by pointing out that GAITS are scored in the collectives after the test is over. So a perfectly executed movement would/should be scored the same, be it WB or Fjord. The quality of the gait is always the basis of the score for the movement. You can execute a perfect shoulder-in but if the trot is putzy you'll never get above 6. That's because if the rhythm, impulsion, etc die in the movement it means the horse is not really working through, which means the training is lacking. Lori If both the Fjord and WB perform the movement perfectly it implies that both were executing the movement at the trot required with no loss of impulsion and good balance, moving forward etc. It does not imply that trot was putzy, unsteady or unbalanced because then it would not have been perfectly executed. The above being the case both should receive the same score. Just because a Fjord's lengthened trot doesn't cover as much ground as the 17H WB's doesn't mean that the Fjord should receive a lower score . Maybe the Fjord doesn't show as much suspension in his collections as the WB but shows correct engagement of the hocks and increased impulsion, same thing. However,most of the time but not always, in the collectives it's very likely the WB will receive a higher score for gaits than the Fjord. Vivian
Re: Dressage, judge prejudice
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dagrun Aarsten5/25/02 1:35 [EMAIL PROTECTED] I don't expect a perfectly executed dressage movement by a fjord to get the same marks as those performed by a warmblood, since a part of the mark even for the individual movement reflects the quality of the gait. Since I am obviously in the writing mood thought I'd respond by pointing out that GAITS are scored in the collectives after the test is over. So a perfectly executed movement would/should be scored the same, be it WB or Fjord. Unless the test asked for a medium trot and no change was seen between WT and MT. Then it's a failure to execute the movement as described in the test and would be reflected in the individual movements score. Does predjudice exist, sure. What to do about it, train harder. VC
Re: Competitor Conduct at Fjord Shows Evaluations
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Steve McIlree5/25/02 2:31 [EMAIL PROTECTED] If anyone is going to throw back the rhetoric about outside rules destroying the friendly family atmosphere of the shows, please explain exactly how standard, proven rules would do that. You are not going to get any argument from me, Steve. Rules prevail in every recognized competition and they are there to level the playing field for all so discrepencies do not or should not happen. The difficulty I see in regional Fjord shows is there is no Technical Delegate to help diffuse the competitors anger and if the TD perceives a real problem can then facilitate setting things straight. Because everyone at a regional Fjord show are friends or at least acquainted with one another it is difficult for the show committee members to remain neutral. Also often the members of the show committee are themselves showing which compromises any conflict of interest issues. Management should not compete especially if they have hired the judges. HUGE CONFLICT If a show publishes that the driving classes will be run according to ADS rules but there are show committee members that always drive without nosebands or cavessons on their driving bridles it is quite likely that this ADS rule will be ignored. If the judge judging the driving classes is not an ADS judge it is unlikely he/she will know that there is such a rule or if they do know that it is a rule and approach a show committee member about it is possible they will be told to ignore it because Fjord people routinely drive without nosebands. This scenario is pure conjecture. I am just trying to point out how these issues often play out. Rules for all but the Fun classes have already been worked out by the USA Eq, ADS, USDF etc. But saying you will run a show according to those rules and then having a judge and management that is unfamiliar with those rules defeats the purpose. Publishing that your show will be run by certain rules is a great start but unless you have an impartial, knowledgeable person (TD) to make sure that those rules are followed and a judging panel that is also familiar with the rules and general protocol you will not be able to effectively put those rules into effect. Failure to play by the rules will in some instances be grounds for elimination, but just try and tell someone at a local Fjord show that they have been elminated because their harness doesn't conform to ADS rules and believe me you'll have a fight on your hands. By the way only the judge can eliminate a competitor. There is absolutely no reason that the NFHR needs to reinvent the wheel by writing their own rules or even sanctioning regional Fjord shows. Some of the issues Brian referred to in his post would be covered under USAEq or ADS rules, but unless the show committee spends the money to hire qualified judges and a licensed TD the show committees should save money on ink and not bother to publish any affiliations. My above comment on qualified judges is in no way meant to demean the NFHR list of judges it is just that in my opinion it takes a mighty amazing judge to be familiar with the NGB rules governing all the disciplines that take place at a breed show. As for Brian's comment on profanity, throwing hayforks and the like that can be chalked up to poor social skills, nothing more. Unless the profanity was directed personally towards the judge there isn't much one can do about that type of behaviour. However, if there were a TD officiating he/she could take that person aside and try and calm things down a bit . I have always admired licensed TDs in Driving because they must wear so many hats and remain gracious and efficient at all times. How do they do that? This turned out to be too long and a bit redundant, sorry. Have a Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone. Vivian Creigh
Re: foal count and colors
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Here at Rainbow's End we were expecting only one foal and he was born on his due date. Thank you. Sire is Marnix, Dam is BDF Birte (a ster mare with a double AA in driving ABOP)both are fabulous competive horses although Birte was retired after a stellar 10 year career several years ago. . His name is Ymir (U-meer) and he is a dark brown dun. Quite a lovely fellow who will certainly follow in his parents illustrious footsteps. Oh I forgot Marnix is a Model/Prestatie with a doubleA in driving and an A in riding ABOPs. But more than that the apple of my eye. VC
Re: foal count and colors
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello list, Here at Rainbow's End we were expecting only one foal and he was born on his due date. Thank you. Sire is Marnix, Dam is BDF Birte (a ster mare with a double AA in driving ABOP)both are fabulous competive horses although Birte was retired after a stellar 10 year career several years ago. . His name is Ymir (U-meer) and he is a dark brown dun. Quite a lovely fellow who will certainly follow in his parents illustrious footsteps. Congratulations to everyone with babies on the ground. Vivian C.
Re:Another horse for sale
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I had another call re. Fjords for sale from a woman selling an older Fjord mare. This mare I do know something about. She is an imported Dutch mare by the name of Christa, NFHR Registered Sire Astrix, Dam Urania by Einar. She is 20 years old. She is broke to drive ride. She has done CDEs and competitive driving and from what I have seen and remember is safe sane. Asking price $3,500 Also an easy entry cart and a Meadowbrook and two harnesses. Price not discussed. Call Mimi at 518 563 2041
FOR SALE...posting for gentleman
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I am posting this as a favor for a Richard Brandell who has a Pair of Geldings, 18 19 yeqars old, well broke to drive. Orville Unrau's breeding. He is asking $3,500 for the pair. Also a mare 16 years old, imported from Norway Sire: Kaisar Dam: Laika by Dragtind. Asking $3,500 He also has an Eagle and a Zilco pair harness that he is selling. Asking price on these was not discussed. Mr. Brandell can be reached at 518 563 2828 (Upstate NY) I am not familiar with these horses but thought the asking price fair considering their ages so told him I'd put it on the list.
Norwegian Fjord Racing Assoc.
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] While perusing The Chronicle on-line this am I ran across this site. http://www.geocities.com/cirrus_kid/NFRA.html I found it very amusing. Vivian Sringfield VT. where it is raining but unseasonably warm.
Re: Feeding Round Bales
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] When I was in Aiken training with Larry Poulin for 5 weeks the farm where he was located fed round bales, in fact round bales were fed at nearly every farm I went to. I had misgivings about putting round bales in with my three Fjord mares because of the threat of botulism as well as the image of Fjords looking like engorged ticks. I originally was buying small square bales from local feed store but that only lasted 3 days as the price comparison made feeding round bales much more attractive. The bales were kept under cover on pallets and once you peeled the outer layer the hay was green and sweet smelling. The vet down there ssaid that most people did not vaccinate for botulism as it apparently wasn't a problem. I'm relieved that I didn't make her a liar. I really think that because of the sandy soil having free access to hay at all times helped keep them from ingesting too much sand while browsing. I did feed them pysillium(sp). to prevent sand colic. It was really rather amusing to see the threee of them standing around a small mountain of hay like three Norwegian girls at an all you can eat buffet, but they didn't eat all day and they were all being worked quite hard. So I came back home with sleek well muscled ponies who I'm sure are wondering why the buffet is closed. I have to say that it worked really well for me and the mares have never looked better. My vet was totally impressed yesterday when she came out to do spring shots on the remaining horses. I'm not sure this would have been the case with ponies that weren't in hard work. Vivian Creigh Springfield, VT 26 degrees and sunny
Help needed
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I am sending in my entry for Bromont International to be held on Chemoin de Gaspe, Bromont, Quebec, Canada on May16-19, 2002. Wesley, my daughter and I will be bringing 3 ponies for the Advanced Pair Pony class and having just done that in Ocala, FL we realized that an extra set of hands would have been most welcome. As our LQ only sleeps the two of us this rules out bringing along a third party so I am hoping that someone on this list lives close to the Bromont International venue and would be interested in lending us a hand during the event. We will be arriving on Wednesday prior to the event as vet check is at 1PM on Thursday and will need help all days. Please e-mail me privately if you are interested. Vivian Creigh
Re: Re[2]: West Nile Vaccine
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi and goodbye List, I am leaving for Aiken tonight with three ponies all of whom have been vaccinated for West Nile. We did a base line titer on all three just in case I ever get selected to compete abroad. Better safe than sorry. Two horses contracted West Nile in NH (one died within 48 hours) and although no one yet knows whether or not the vaccine will work it is the only game in town. No reactions other than normal vaccine achiness for a day or two. I'll be back on line the beginning of April, but will try and get mail from friends computer down south. Long night and day ahead of me. Hope mud season is over by the time I returnI can't wait to drive in the Sandhills. Vivian Creigh
ReYankee britching Treasure Coast CDE Fjord cross
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I just returned from FL and although I dunmped most of my mail box I did scan some stuff. I use Yankee britching sometimes called hungarian britching in dressage and cones on my HRH Zilco Coaching harness and will experiment with it on marathon this spring. I like it very much as it frees up movement of hind end without sacrificing a straight rein back. It is only used for pairs. I was disappointed that there were no Fjords at Treasure Coast but there was a Fjord/Belgian cross mare and although she seemed like a stready driving pony in mu opinion neither breed brought anything worthwhile to the table where this cross was concerned. I'm told that her owner who clearly thinks the world of her (which is all that counts) thinks she may be a premarin foal which would make sense. She wasn't very tall but very big bodied and even though she is a Florida pony it was very hot and humid last weekend and the combo didn't help her. But in alll fairness there were quite a few very hot and tired horses. Section A was 9k which is unusually long for a lower level event in fact long for any event particularly one so early in the season. I was glad I was just spectating. Perhaps I will see some Fjords competing at Live Oak the end of March. The girls and I will be there. Vivian Creigh
Showing at ADS recognized events
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Since I am in the middle of trying to get organized for the upcoming driving season I thought I'd pass on this tip for those of you planning o competing your Fjords in ADS events this year. I hope that means a bunch of you. I make a mess of copies of my ADS membership card, USAe membership card, USAe Pony measurement cards or forms, depending on their age. USAe horse recording certificates and all current 2002 coggins. Anything that might be required with my entry. I keep the copies in a seperate file and put all my membership cards in another file. This way when I go to make an entry I can easily find and include copies of important info a particular event might require. I never have to carry the membership cards around with me so if my wallet is stolen or lost in the course of the season I don't need to bother these org. for replacements. Also as an organizer I can tell you that it simplifies the event secretary's job to have all the necessary forms included as well as the fact that with Driving becoming so popular and events filling early those entries that are incomplete will not be accepted even if you make opening day. I put copies of all coggins in my truck glove compartment and put the originals in a file. Health certificates generally only last for 30 days but I also make copies of those and file them , just in case. Although my vet has originals of both I'd rather bother my husband if I need copies for whatever reason. Hope this gets everyone thinking about getting to those ADS CDEs this year. If you can't drive then I highly recommend volunteering. You'll meet great people while you learn about the sport. To those of you who inquired about the Kuhnle, thank you for your interest however it has been sold. Vivian Creigh
Re: Blundstone (not blunderstone!) Boots
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Here is the Blundstone site in Australia. $54 for Classics. Shipping is $22 so a nice saving. We have all had very good success with these people. http://www.paradisefootwear.com/blundstone/brown.htm
Sad report
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I am very sad to report that Milton Long passed away last night. Our loss is the angels gain.
Re: bit pulling, saddles, Randys illness and broken ankle
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] GAIL RUSSELL1/4/02 1:01 [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have VERY wide feet and am unused to having my feet squished into too small shoes. I can get my feet into cowboy boots...but then can think of nothing else but getting them off!! The best-fitting riding boots I have found are Blundstone boots...the pull on waterproof type. They are for sale at many tack stores. However, they still may not be big enough. I also have wide feet and bunions which make most footwear into a torture device in minutes Blundstone boots are the best thing I have ever owned for general all purpose barn work and riding, however they are very expensive if you buy them in the US. My friends and I all buy them from this site Down Under and they are not only cheap but these people are incredibly helpful and shipping is not expensive and they can get them to you in under a week! These boots are incredibly long wearing and amazingly comfortable. I wear the classic style which seems to be wide enough even for me. Here is their link. Good Luck http://www.paradisefootwear.com/blundstone/brown.htm Vivian Creigh
Re: snow-packed hooves
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] As mentioned, snowball pads which can be used all around or just in front on shod horses. The quickest easiest way to remove packed snow from a hoof is to pick it up and tap on the side gently with a hammer. It will pop right out. Hope this helps. Vivian C.
Re: The Push Button Fjord
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lori Albrough1/1/02 9:12 [EMAIL PROTECTED] I dunno if I agree with this. There are, after all, standard aids to use to tell a horse to go forward, stop, turn, move sideways, pick up a canter, etc. If a horse is trained to react to these aids, perhaps the problem is not with the horse, but with the new person either not knowing the aids to use, not using them properly, or not being balanced enough in their body to not inadvertently be either gripping with their legs or balancing on the reins. In which case the solution is for the person to take lessons from a knowlegable experienced professional to learn the aids and develop the body control, because all the ground work in the world is not going to help them. Lori I think Lori has hit upon exactly where a good deal of the problems we hear about on this list and elsewhere derive from. And these problems originate with the sellers as well as the buyers. If you don't know what the correct aids are nor can you correctly apply them how can you sell the horse as being trained? If you are an inexperienced, unfit rider who bounces up and down on your horses back and grabs his mouth everytime you are launched into the air should you be surprised when your horse bucks, runs or refuses to go forward? Vivian C.
Carriage for sale
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] To anyone on the list who is interested in Combined Driving with a pair I am selling my FEI weight (250kg) Kuhnle marathon vehicle. Delayed steering, extra step on back , seat moves from right side to center, two small seats facing on back. I have taken many pleasure drives this fall with visitors sitting up front or two in rear. I find that people love being on the back as they have the option of standing or sitting. It's black with red pin stripe. I have used it for all phases in CDE. No presentation penalties under Daphne Kellogg.It does have lamp brackets and also an expandable rear axle. It's never been in an accident and is in decent shape paint wise for a marathon vehicle. Nothing a little touch up paint can't fix. This carriage is fairly new as it was only driven two seasons. For those of you on the Southeastern seaboard I travel to NC, SC and Fla. during the winter starting in mid February and could possibly arrange to bring it down. If anyone is interested please e-mail me or phone 802 885-5762 Vivian Creigh,Springfield VT.
Re: Denny Emerson's article
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] wanda m hill12/12/01 1:05 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Vivian, I appreciate your bringing this article to our attention. I wish we could have more discussions on this forum where we educate each other. Thanks Joel, I am still hoping to get more responses. I know this is a group full of opinions. I'd love to hear more of them. Loved Lori's post about rideability. Lori would you qualify for us how you measure this in a breed where so few of our horses actually are pressed to perform at an ever higher level. Is a good score in an evaluation performance test enough, and I realize it takes time to train a horse for these tests. Do you want your horses sire and dam to have a lengthy perfomance record? Or is the stallion more important than the mare in this respect? For Carolyn, Jane and Linda it seems that the most important thing is that the horse be well trained. It was interesting to note that Carolyn passed on a mare that she felt was too forward for her abilities and not obedient to the aids . This is not the first time I have heard this same sentiment expressed by a potential Fjord buyer. Anyone else on the list have similar or opposing thoughts regarding this. Price for Fjords is one of my pet peeves so I will now ascend the soap box: When shopping for an event prospect (usually a TB or TBX) my daughter and I know that we will not be seeing any promising green broke or unbroke horses under $8500. The normal range being $10,000 to $15,000. These horses should be good movers and show some jumping ability, although in an unbroke horse this can only be assesed by free jumping them in an arena which is not always possible. It's always nice if the horse is nice to be around and has some social skills. We are basically buying a horse who has few real using skills yet, but possibly has succesful eventing parents and siblings, is fairly sane and if green broke is at the least excepting of the bit. However if all goes well and Wesley, with professional coaching and lessons*, can ride the horse to some blue ribbons up to a certain level, safely, we know that we can then sell that horse for AT LEAST TWICE what was originally paid. When my phone rings for a Fjord, the person inquiring ususally wants a well trained horse, that rides and drives, safely and has good ground manners. They might not want to show, but they aren't ruling it out and they haven't decided whether or not they'll breed the horse, if it's a mare, but they want one that might be good enough to breed if that is an option they choose to explore down the line. Oh and they want a horse that I can promise will never buck, rear or run. PHEW! That's certainly a lot more than we expect in a green event prospect. BUT, when I inquire what the caller is expecting to spend it is always well below what I would consider a fair price for a Fjord that fulfills their criteria. How do those of you on the list feel about this issue? Do you feel that I am out of line comparing Fjords to TB event horses? If so, why? I'd love to see more responses to Denny's article and have others on the list raise some questions of their own. Vivian C. *It might interest some of you to know that Wesley's event coach still takes lessons even though she is an accomplished rider/teacher/trainer and that in eventing and dressage it is fairly normal for upper level riders to continue taking lessons. I realize some of you know this already just thought I'd toss it out there for those of you who didn't.
Re: Denny Emerson's article
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I reread the article this morning and there was actually so much more to it than I realized. It says something a little different for all of us. For Joel it was an issue of training the youngsters for Jan and Pamela it was about expectations and breeding the best horses possible. For me it was being able to track the performance record of individuals, their parents, their granparents as well as and maybe most importantly their offspring and it's use a tool in selecting breeding stock. I would like to know how the people on the list choose which horses to breed. What is your criteria? What do you want the foal to excell at when he grows up? How will you market an untrained youngster if you choose to sell the foal before he is trained? When do you keep a colt intact and when do you geld and on what do you base your decision? And these questions also apply to someone purchasing a Fjord. Again, what is your criteria? What do you want to do with your newly acquired Fjord?Is the performance record of your youngsters parents important? Will you send him/her for professional training or train him/her yourself? And here's the biggie...what do you expect to pay for a Fjord and on what do you base this figure? I imagine that there are as many different answers to these questions as there are people reading this list. I look forward to hearing the answers as it should provide both breeders and buyers with new insight. Vivian Creigh
Re: Denny Emerson's article - Horse Breeding
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Carol there is no need to download just go to link and read online. I've gotten paranoid about about attachments - So far I've avoided getting infected by Vs, but probably have missed a lot of interesting attachments along the way.
Denny Emerson's article re. breeding
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Just read an interesting article by Denny Emerson in the Chronicle of the Horse on-line. No, Denny wasn't writing about Fjords but the subject matter applies to anyone breeding horses. It should open up some discussion on this list if anyone is interested. I have plenty of observations re. Denny's article but will save them unless this article stirs up some conversation. The link is below. http://www.chronofhorse.com/bw_rounds/01/denny_dec7.html Vivian Creigh
Re: Getting a Fjord from Norway
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Curtis Pierce12/4/01 8:06 [EMAIL PROTECTED] The CEM testing can take a few days for mares and a few weeks for stallions. I wish this were the case however CEM testing on fillies/mares over the age of 2yrs is 2 weeks in a licensed quarantine facility which costs approximately $1,200. For stallions it is, I believe, 4 weeks. Vivian Creigh
Re: Over Alaska
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jean in Alaska, I have just started reading INTO THE WILD by Jon Krakauer. My daughter tells me it is a can't put down read. I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Krakauer's book INTO THIN AIR, and am really looking forward to reading this one as it contains alot of info on Alaska. In my former life I raised Siberian Huskies for the show ring and trail. My favorite bitch was named Ketchikan, and my kennel name was ABACUK after a colorful Alaskan character named Abacuk Pritchard. I ran a team of five dogs at one time but I was young and in good shape in those days. Driving horses is much easier on the aching knees and body of a late middle aged woman. I can't imagine keeping up with one dog let alone five now. I have yet to make it to Alaska, but it is on my list of things to do before... When I come up I will plan to visit. I hope everyone in the USA has a splendid Thanksgiving with family and friends and Fjords. We are entertaining a Japanese boy from my son and daughter's school over the holiday break. I have already learned so much from him about Japan and he in turn got the opportunity to watch our farrier at work which fascinated him. When I asked him if he liked horses he replied, That he didn't know because he had never touched one, but that he thought now, Yes , he did. He is an accomplished Accupressure massage student who works on all the faculty at The Putney School where my children go. I am looking forward to being the recipient of his talents after dinner is done and the tryptophan is kicking in. ZZ! Vivian Creigh
Re: boarding woes, or Fjord feeding 101
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Denise Delgado10/21/01 6:30 [EMAIL PROTECTED] after all these are wild horses Fjords have been domesticated for a really long time. They are a very long way from being wild. They are however small and extremely effecient in how they use calories just like other pony breeds. Alfalfa is high in protein as I believe you pointed out and should only be fed to ponies on a limited basis. I would rather feed larger amounts of good grass hay to my ponies keeping their guts working and their agile minds engaged. JMHO My girls, Olympia and Nordy, and I are on our way to Fair Hill International to compete in the AHSA Pony Championships of Combined driving tomorrow. Looking forward to the last party of the season. Winter rapidly approaches in NE. Martie!!! I know that you will not get this until after I've left but I would like to talk to you about your lovely stained glass, as I have an idea for use as trophies... Bye...Vivian Creigh
Cart needed at Fair Hill for schooling
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] To anyone planning on attending the Fair Hill CDE the end of this month. I am looking to borrow a two wheeled cart for schooling my girls single and do not have enough room to carry one with me as I'll have both 4 wheel carriages and all the other stuff I'll need for the week. If you live in the area and are willing to let me use your cart please e-mail me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] The mares and I would surely appreciate it. Vivian Creigh
Kansas City CDE
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'd like to post a brag for Steve and Amy White who competed last weekend at the Kansaas City Combined Driving Event. This event was the second leg of the Midwest Medley. Steve and Norske won the first leg and not surpriseingly won again in Kansas!! Amy competed in the Two Phase (Dressage Cones) and placed second. It is wonderful for the Fjord breed to have dedicated competitors out there competing and winning against all breeds of ponies. Steve and Amy are really hooked on Combined Driving and I was fortunate to have Amy ride with me on the marathon at The Laurels. She was terrific and very enthusiatic. Steve is well on his way to winning the Overall Championship for the Midwest Medley. The last event is coming right up so let's all send posiitive lucky energy in Steve and Norske's direction. And a very public congratulations to the White's on their terrific showing Vivian Creigh
Carriage and harness for sale etc.
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] I am selling my antique Ladies Wicker Parasol Phaeton. Completely restored several years ago and does not have a nick on it. Fully cut under with wicker dickey seat with shafts (shaves) and pole. Shown at major Pleasure shows. Midnight blue with gold pin striping and tan brewster cord upholstry(sp?)and completely new parasol Would do well for presentation,dressage and cones at CDE as well as Pleasure shows. Very comfortably sprung. Also a beautiful Custom Russett Greg Hunt Harness with brass fittings. Great condition with some new pieces added over the years. This harness put to a wooden cart with Fjord has placed in many large turnout classes I am sadly selling these pieces as I can not keep them all. I also have many sheets and turnout rugs, Fjord sized that I'll let go for far less than they are worth. Please contact me privately for more info. Sometime in the next few weeks I'll be putting together a sales tape of 2 yr olds and weanlings for sale. Future plans prohibit my keeping them as I'll be traveling quite a bit and need to cut back on numbers in the barn. Great bloodlines eligible or already Dutch and NFHR registered. Vivian Creigh, Springfield VT 802 885 5762
Re: Another Felix filly
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mary Thurman7/11/01 11:13 [EMAIL PROTECTED] I can assure you that having the vet come and check out EVERY foal is important. AND this needs to be done within the first few hours(no more than 12, if possible) The test for antibodies should be done after the foal has been nursing for at least 12 hours. If all appears normal and the foal is up and suckling you can save yourself a farm call by waiting for 12 hours however if you see a problem with the foal or a retained placenta (2 hrs) it's best to have the vet out sooner. Don't forget to save the placenta so the vet can check it for tears and retained pieces. The antibody test can be performed on farm so you'll know immediately whether or not the foal has received adequate colostrum. Our vet also checks lungs, heart and eyes as early intervention can save you money and needless worry. Having said all that it's best to check with your individual vet as to how they would like to handle new foals as everyone's protocol is not the same. Vivian Creigh
Re: Help
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jean Ernest7/2/01 8:14 [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have also read that an oil mixture called COCOSOYA is more palatable than corn oil. It is also 20% more digestible than ordinary corn and vegetable oil. Uckele has it, 5 gallon jug is $29.95. I tried the COCOSOYA from Uckele and found it no more palatable than corn oil. Beth Valentine who does research on EPSM advised me to just buy cheap corn oil as it does the trick and is easy to come by in bulk at WalMart's and Sam's stores. It takes awhile before the ponies eat it with anything bordering on enthusiasm. I'd stay away from bran as it interferes with absorbtion of certain minerals. Beet Pulp is always a good choice for adding calories without protein. Good Luck, Vivian Creigh
Various and working student needed.....
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello List, Well our last foal arrived last night at a very civilized 8:45PM. Both Wes and Connor got to watch. The dam is a full sister to Marnix bred to Konggard and the baby is a filly. We are very happy with two fillies and a colt. Waldo, Willa an Winona. My new mares are home from Cornell and I've driven them 4 times single. These mares have never been driven single, nor had blinkers or breeching. Then ofcourse there is the language issue. They being Dutch and me being American. I was quite discouraged the first day I drove them as they had never been swapped on the pole and one only bent left the other only right. I can now tell you that we are at least going straight on our stiff side and both are actually becoming more supple every day. Not that we haven't had some rethinking issues, but I am now confident that if I take my time and am consistent I will have a great pair. Our fist outing will be the GMHA CDE at Prelim level where I'm also planning to drive Marnix Advanced. Marnix's dressage has been really wonderful this spring. We are just having fun with him, maybe some little ridden events and pleasure showing. Just so he can go out in public and remind everyone who the MAN really is! Next year he'll be back to a full schedule if he tells me that's what he wants to do. I could never handle this many horses without my daughter and son's help. Unfortunately they will both have to go back to school in early September so I am looking for a working student to come help out in August through the season, end of October. If anyone on the list knows someone who might be interested here is some info: We are primarily interested and involved in combined training and combined driving with some dressage and driven pleasure showing thrown in for good measure. We have 13 horses presently, but several are for sale so I am hoping this number will shrink. We are a very laid back family and have good accomodations and I would even be interested in two working students who could keep each other entertained. Sam husband and 16 yr.old daughter Wesley, 14 yr. old son Connor and myself, Vivian Creigh. [EMAIL PROTECTED] or call 802 885 5762
Re: Imported Dutch filly For Sale
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] This filly is going to be a wonderful ridden dressage horse. She is very big and tall, moderately long in the back with a good shoulder and overall balance which contribute to the best movement I have seen in a filly this age which is primarily the reason I brought her over. She looks very much like her sire Halldor I-77, her dam is Korine by Toddy. Udine is sweet and people oriented. She walked right on the trailer when I picked her up at Newburgh and traveled well back to VT. Very easy going with other horses. Please contact me privately at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or call 802 885 5762 for more info and tape. Vivian Creigh Springfield, VT
Re:Lori A., Carol R. and birth announcement
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Good Morning List, Thanks for posting the complete list Lori. I appreciate it. Hedi (OswinDianaSolar) gave birth to a colt this morning two weeks early. Sire is Marnix (HolmarDunjaNormann) This was my favorite kind of foaling he was up and nursing when I went to the barn at 5:30am. Placenta passed and intact. Mare hungry and very proud of herself. Cleaned stall and rebedded. All the horses in the barn are very chatty this morning. Lots of calling and running around. We are still waiting for Gozina (AstrixBlowyFordin) to foal, she is 15 days late, but her bag is looking more promising this morning. Maybe having one on the ground will spur her into action. Then Nanja, Marnix's baby sister is due in early June with a Konggard foal. Carol R., Hope all our babies this year are as nice as Brenning. I saw a tape of him taken last fall and he is a lovely individual. I am glad you think so as well. Bye for now, Vivian Creigh
Re: Stall Flooring
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mary Thurman5/7/01 7:42 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Nowadays people use rubber stall mats over concrete floors very successfully. Where we live in Western Washington we have wood floors, with bedding. A training stable where we have kept horses from time to time has concrete floors with thick rubber mats. The horses we kept there did just as well as they did at home on wood floors. I wonder, though, would concrete floors be prone to 'frost heave' in the frozen North? I have stalls both on concrete and on clay both covered with thick , heavy mats. I bed with sawdust or shavings, straw for foaling mares. My ponies, Welsh, Fjords and TBs are always in at night and none have problems. The mats on cement are 13 years old and have been cut in so they fit exactly with no gaps, they never smell and are much easier to clean and maintain The clay shifts under the mats no matter what we do and the urine gets into the clay and stinks. In the summer I have to strip and lime the clay stalls way to often for my back as it is heavy intense, time consuming work. I live in VT where it gets pretty darn cold and we have never had problems with heaving or cracking. Good luck. -- Looking at the future with an eye on the past. vivian creigh rainbow's end farm springfield, vt 05156
Rainbow's End Farm Horse Driving Trial- August 12, 2001
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] To all of the list members in the New England area our Driving Trial has been accepted by the ADS and I am looking for a group of volunteers to help out with Hazard judging, Cones measurement, Timing etc. Boots Wright is the Pres. of Jury, Holly Pulsifer is our TD and Jon Woodhull with help from my husband Sam will be designing and building the course and hazards. We can accept 30 entries but there is limited stabling on grounds and approx. 6 stalls within a 2 mile radius. There will be a briefing, course walk and welcome party on Saturday evening. I'm hoping to keep this a very relaxed event with an opportunity for everyone to come out and enjoy our VT views and have some fun with their friends, human and equine. If anyone is interested in helping out in any capacity please contact me asap at my e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] or by phone 802-885-5762. It's hard to imagine being ready for this event with all the snow on the ground but the time to start is now. I am very interested in finding someone with a creative approach to handling the trophies for this event as it would be nice to offer something unique rather than the same old, same old... Thanks, Vivian Creigh
Re:Test
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Something is wrong with my e-mail server so I am sending a test to the list. If anyone from the list has tried to e-mail me in the last several days nothing is coming through. Vivian Creigh
Re:Fjords at Live Oak and training
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lori, There was a Fjord at Live Oak. Penny Stucky drove a mare in Prelim Pony I think she ended up third. Also Nancy Newport was there spectating, I believe Nancy is on this list. On Training I have read alot of posts regarding training Fjords and I finally felt the need to add my 2cents worth. I don't think Fjords need special handling or a different approach! I do ofcourse find that the breed in general is quiet, intelligent and layed back and that they can be very pushy on the ground, but the same things that work for other breeds work just as well for Fjords. Karen M had an insightful post about the time issues needed to properly start a horse. The issue of time and commitment to the training process is paramount. If you intend to train your horse to ride, drive whatever you must make the commitment and stick to it. Timing is also important. Consistency is also of major importance.If you get after your pony for pushing into your space one day you can't let him nuzzle you the next. I personnally don't have these space issues with my ponies, but I know others do and I respect that. Accidents are almost always attributable to pilot error, but ofcourse there are also equine individuals in every breed who are not reliable companions or performers. I want exactly the same things from my ponies that Larry Poulin wants from his big guys. I want them to be good in the hand, round and relaxed and go in correct frame, forward and steady. The same things Larry does to achieve these things are exactly the same things I do, only Larry does them much better! I realize that these things take time and try not to rush the process as my ponies get fitter and more capable and it becomes easier for them. I stay away from gadgets and fads. In thirteen years I have never had any reason to think that my Fjords needed special or unusual tactics to achieve what I want them to. I have taken my ponies to qualified trainers in several different disciplines and all have loved them and been successful teaching them what I sent them to be taught. All saw their virtues and recognized their shortcomings. I am lucky to have had so many wonderful horses in my life, non Fjords included and I try never to take them for granted. I kiss them often and feed them treats out of hand. None has ever abused me intentionally, except Birte and she's the equine love of my life, but I'm saving that story for a book. Understand, please that these are just my observations and insights. I have great respect for anyone who trains their horse to be exactly the animal they want him to be. Bravo! There is nothing more rewarding than to share a bond with your animals. How you achieved it is not so important as that you achieved it at all. Respectfully, Vivian Creigh
Re:Back from Live Oak
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello List, I am home from my last trip south for at least a month or so. On this last one I had the pleasure of meeting and staying with Jan Bonner and her lovely family. Also met Sue Banks owner of Lillehammer and saw her most recent dressage outing videotape where she placed first and second at a schooling dressage show. What a lovely job she has done with that mare. Jan lives on a beautiful farm in the heart of hunt country VA. and upon arrival I was treated to the smell of three freshly baked loaves of bread. Our children are the same age and both our sons are budding thespians, we like Fjords and I love freshly baked bread so we had quite alot in common! After a wonderful sleep I stole from their house at the indecent hour of 4AM and headed for NC to pick up my daughter. Had a lovely dinner with some friends in Southern Pines and then stole out of their house again at 4AM to head down to Ocala FL for Live Oak CDE. Live Oak is always such a great event. It's the first big advanced event of the season and usually a selection trial so all the big guns are there. But it's also in Florida so all the people from the eastern seaboard wishing to get into some real sunshine and warmth are also there. Everyone was sporting small green and black memorial ribbons in memory of George Hoffman who as many of you probably know just passed away. It was alovely touch to remembering a man who brought so much to the sport of Combined driving as a competitor as well as a TD. I know I'll miss him. We went down so Wesley could ride with Larry Poulin in dressage and cones. She sure looked cute all dressed up in livery with her top hat. Larry was in second after dressage behind Mark Schofield. Nancy Johnson rode with Larry on Marathon day so Wes and I got to watch. The hazards were very tight right angle hazards with few flowing routes. Although they were well constructed and had eye appeal I didn't like them at all. Larry had a decent marathon and did very well in the hazards that were more open but Lisa Singer's true forte is the marathon because her Morgan's are so much smaller than the big strided WBs she can wiggle her way around those tight spaces much more quickly than a big Holsteiner or Dutch WB. Her go on marathon moved her to first from fourth, and Larry dropped to third with David Saunders in second. Only four points, less than a ball seperated the top three competitors for Cones on Sunday. As we inched our way up the leader board on Sunday there had been no clean rounds in the Advanced Pairs. In fact one guy had 10 balls down!!! I was getting pretty anxious by the time Larry went in third to the last. He drove clean wiith 1.5 time penalties and really turned up the heat on David and Lisa. David was having a really good drive in cones and I actually thought after he drove the serpentine clean he might not bump a ball, but finally he hit one and that moved Larry into second. It was all up to Lisa Singer, but it wasn't going to be her day as she hit three which put her in third or fourth and made Larry the clear winner of the event. There was much smiling and hugging and kissing at the trailer. Someone opened a bottle of champagne and we all had a toast and took celebratory pictures so we can remember this when we are all real old. Wes had a great time riding with Larry and helping Rochelle take care of his horses which are actually owned by Natasha Grigg who is his sponsor as well as the President of the ADS. Wes will probably get her picture in the Chronicle of the Horse again since they won. This will be the third time, once riding with US Singles team member Nancy Johnson at Festival and now with Larry and once with Marnix and me in the year end issue. This win will certainly help Larry secure a berth on the Pairs team going to Reisenbeck this August if Hoof and Mouth has petered out and they have the Championship at all. My Dutch horses are still over there as they aren't allowing any trailers on the roads in Holland. If there are no more outbreaks in the Netherlands maybe they will come next week. I am really getting anxious. I bought a coming two yr old filly by Halldor out of a Toddy daughter who will be for sale. She is a superb mover with lots of suspension. If anyone is interested please call me 802 885 5762. I'd like to sell her soon as I know if she stays in my barn too long I will find a reason to keep her for my self. Also I am looking for a used Eagle or Jeff Day carriage suitable for a pair for dressage and cones. If anyone has such a thing please get in touch. Hope you are all having spring wherever you are.Vivian Creigh
Re Oksana registration
This message is from: Vivian Creigh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mike I also need to include a stallion service cert. We do all our breedings AI do I need to include insemination contract or can I just give her a certificate of service since I owned both the mare and stallion at the time of the breeding? Vivian
